Automatic control system for atomizing and lifting oil with gas



Feb. 11, 1936. SCOTT AUTOMATIC CONTROL SYSTEM FOR ATOMIZING AND LIFTING OIL WITH GAS Filed Oct. 1, 1934 2 Sheets-Sheet l 9 6 R. m u N 5 v w a WM 6 4 mg D y m w mm m 6 M J n w W n w a m m a s a 4 4 a a a m a a 0 o a mi 9 a W m a 6 6 7 B. H. SCOTT 2,030,159

AUTOMATIC CONTROL SYSTEM FOR ATOMIZING AND LIFTING OIL WITH GAS Feb. 11, 1936.

Filed Oct. 1, 1934 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 WV EN TOR. mam H gee/W Patented Feb. 11, 1 936 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE AUTOMATIC CONTROL SYSTEM FOR ATOM- IZING AND LIFTING OIL WITH GAS The principal object of my invention is to provide means for utilizing the gas developed in an oil well to atomize and lift the oil therein to the surface, said gas being so controlled and directed that it can be used as developed or released in the well, or it can be supplemented by a gas supply furnished from the surface and mixed therewith and the mixture so directed and controlled that it will effectively atomize and raise 19 the oil in the well to the surface.

It is, therefore, an object of this invention to so harness this power as it is produced in a well that it will be made to raise the oil in that well to the surface, instead of being wasted or lost 1,; entirely.

In order to do this most effectively and practically, it is necessary to atomize said oil with the lifting gas and thus reduce its gravity action. To accomplish this, I have invented an apparatus 20 by means of which the inflow of oil from the well into the string of pipe or tubing to be atomized and lifted by the available volume of gas can be controlled so as to have the proper oil-gas ratio for raising to the surface the oil thus 25 atomized by the action of the expanding gas.

In order to explain my invention more in detail, I have illustrated on the accompanying two sheets of drawings one practical embodiment thereof, which I will now describe. In the draw- 30 ings,

Figure 1 is an elevation of the upper part of an apparatus embodying my invention, portions thereof being shown in longitudinal section:

Figure 2 is a longitudinal sectional view through 35 the lower portion of my invention, as extended down into an oil well, portions being broken out to reduce the length of-the figure;

Figure 3 is an enlarged sectional view through a section of the mechanism, taken at line 33 on 40 Fig. 2;

Figures 4, 5, 6, '7, 8, and 9, are cross sectional views taken at the respective section lines, 4-4, 5-5, 6-6, 1-1, 8-8, and 9--9, on Fig. 2 and Fig. 3, as indicated; and

45 Figure 10 is a cross sectional view taken on line Ill-40 on Fig. 1.

Referring now in detail .to the drawings, the oil well or bore is designated ll, through the usual strata, represented by diflerent sectioning,

50 the oil sand being designated by the stippled sectional lower portion of the bore, designated l2. The well casing is designated l3, and in the area of the oil sand formation saidwell casing is shown with perforations, l4, It, said casing being 55 cemented at IS, in the hole, to prevent the upfiow of oil or gas outside of the casing I3. The lower end of said casing I3 is provided with an end ring I6.

The upper end of said well casing I3 is screwed into a head l1, supported upon a suitable founda- 5 tion H3, at the surface. Said head is provided with a cover 19, having a central opening therethrough, surrounded with a depending annular flange l9, threaded, and into which is screwed an intermediate tube 20. At the lower end of 10 said tube 20, shown in the vicinity of the oil sand formation, is a coupling mechanism which consists of a member 2|, internally threaded at its upper end and screwed on to the end of said tube 20, the lower end of which coupling member 5 is reduced and externally threaded to receive the threaded upper end of a member 22, having formed therein an annular shoulder 23, and at its lower end slightly reduced and externally threaded to receive the upper end of an extension tube 20', which extends down into the well, within the well casing l3, substantially as indicated, and connects at its lower end with an inlet valve mechanism, which I will now describe. Said member 22 is provided with a series of bores 22', 25 as shown.

A lower stationary member 24 of said valve device is ground at its upper end to the shape of a truncated cone 25, and is provided with four bores, as 26, terminating at the base portion of the cone, and which serve as fluid passages for the oil from the well to enter the inner tube or macaroni, hereinafter again referred to. Another vertical hole or bore 2'l.ls drilled down through the center of said member 24, until it connects with four radially drilled holes, as 28, 28, Fig. 6, which connect at their outer ends with an annular space 29, formed around said member 24, inside of an adjusting coupling member 30, internally threaded and screwed on to the member 24, as at 30, and externally threaded at itsupper end to receive the lower end of the tube 20', before described, and as shown. The upper end of said adjusting coupler member 30 has bored therethrough a series of vertical holes,

as 3|, 3|, which register at their lower ends with the annular space 29. These holes will be understood by reference also to Figs. 8 and 9. The adjusting coupling member 30 is drilled and threadedleft hand in the center of itsupper portion to receive and accommodate the threaded lower end of a movable valve member 32 of said valve device, which fits down over the cone portion 25, substantially as shown. As a fluid tight seal must be maintained between the gas passage within the tube 2|J28' and the vertical oil passages 26, 26, in the stationary member 24, an adjusting ring 33 is fitted over said member 24, below its threaded section. There is also another adjusting ring 34 placed around the adjusting coupling member 38, below its threaded portion and at the lower end of the outer tube section 28', as shown. These rings can be ground to the desired size for accuracy, taken with micrometers, and the parts reassembled, thus making two fluid-tight seals.

The movable member 32, which is really a valve member to be rotated, is shown as constituting the lower end of a tubular member, 32', the uper end of which is provided with two clutch fingers, orextensions, as 35, and these clutch fingers 35 slidably interfit with two similar clutch fingers, 36, 36, depending from the lower end of a tubular member 31, the upper end of which is enlarged to provide a head with a shoulder 31' and is internally threaded to receive the lower end of the inner tube 38, as clearly indicated. An aligning sleeve or outer tubular member 39 fits over the clutch members 35-36 .with close sliding fit and forms a tight joint or fit. The ends of the clutch fingers, it will be seen, are tapered to facilitate their being assembled, or moved together lengthwise, and, in the event that any torque should be applied, due to deflection of the hole, as the clutch fingers 36, 36, engage clutch fingers 35, 35, the force so applied will have a tendency to tighten the movable valve member 32 against the valve cone 25 and avoid opening the valve.

Interposed between the shoulder 23, in the coupling member 22, and the annular shoulder 31' around the underside of the head portion of the tubular member 31, is a ball bearing assembly, designated as a whole 48, resting upon the upper member of which is a steel ring 4|, having radial bores therethrough, designated 42, to connect the conduits for the passage of gas flowing downward within the tube 28, and outside of the inner tube 38, or macaroni, as it is called in the art, thence inwardly through said holes 42, through the steel ring 4|, the ball race assembly 48, and thence to the outside of the aligning sleeve or member 39, and down to the holes 3|, 3|, in the valve assembly. The gas flows inwardly through the radial passageways 28, 28, and up through the central bore 21, and into the innermost tube or macaroni 32, 31, 38, under the control of a valve 18, again referred to in connection with the mechanism at the surface.

The innermost tube 38 is provided with a coupling or control member or assembly 43, shown in large view in Fig. 3, with cross sectional views shown in Figs. 4 and 5. In the larger view, said device 43 is shown in two pieces to facilitate assembly.

By reference to Figs. 4 and 5, it will be seen that said member has a partition 44 crosswise thereof, with transverse passageways 45, 45, through said member and said partition, with intersecting vertical passageways, 46, 46, down through said partition, with ball check valves, as 41, 41, in the lower ends of said vertical passageways 46, 46, and with stops 48, 48, screwed down into the upper ends of said passageways 46, 46. This device constitutes means for reversing the direction of gas circulation within the intermediate tubing 28 and the inner tube 38, in the event that it becomes necessary to do so,

as will be explained later. This control mechanism is positioned about half way inthe column of fluid in the well.

Referring now to the mechanism above the surface of the ground, and referring to Fig. 1, it will be seen that the cover member I9, for the head I1, also has an upstanding, central flange-like member IS", on to which is screwed a tubular body member 58, down into which is fitted an inner member 5|, with a ball bearing assembly 52 for supporting the same rotatably upon the member 58. Said inner member 5| has formed in and around its outer surface an annular channel 53, adapted to receive the inner end of a set screw 54, two of which are shown, Fig. 10, diametrically disposed in the member 58, and which can be screwed inwardly sufficiently to lock the inner member or spider 5| against rotation within the outer member 58, while the inner tube or macaroni 38 is being installed within the intermediate tube 28. When free rotation of the spider member 5| is desired, said set-screws 54 are turned outwardly until their outer ends are flush with the outer surface of said member 58, and their inner reduced ends are within the annular groove or channel 53 of said spider member 5|. This then permits rotation but prevents longitudinal movement of the spider in the member 58.-

The spider member 5| is bored conically within its upper portion to accommodate three of the conventional type of pipe holding slips, 55, 55. The bore of the spider member 5| is sufficiently large to allow free passage of the connecting couplings on the innermost tube or macaroni 38.

Fitted down over the member 58 and the spider 5|, is a hood member 56, internally threaded at its lower end to screw on to the member 58, substantially as shown, while the upper end of said hood member is provided with a stuffing box assembly 51, clearly illustrated in Fig. 1, for tightly packing off the innermost tube or macaroni 38 within the assembly to avoid any escape of gas from the tubing 28, while at the same time permitting free rotative movement of the macaroni 38, as hereinafter again referred to.

The head member l1, it will be seen, has two radial bores 58 and 59, the bore 58 being provided with a screw plug 58 to give access'to the inside of said head, while a pipe 68 is connected into bore 59. Said pipe 68 is connected successively with an elbow 6|, a check valve 62, a cross 63, a pipe 64, a T 65, with which is connected a gauge 66, and with which is also connected a globe valve 61, and a coupling or union 68. With the cross 63 is connected a check valve 69, and at the opposite side of said cross is a globe valve 18, connected into a pipe 1|, which is connected with the member 58, with a bushing 1|, substantially as shown. At the opposite side of said member 58 is similarly connected a pipe 12, with gauge 13 therein, an elbow 14, a vertical pipe 15, with globe valve 16 therein, said pipe connecting at its upper end with a T 11, with one side of which connects a pipe 18, with globe valve 19 therein, and a union 88. It will be seen that the unions 88 and 68 connect nipples 8| and 82, with a T-like fitting 83, which is connected, with suitable packing 84, with the upper, reduced end 38, of the macaroni or tube 38. Connected with the opposite side of the T 11 is a pipe which leads to the storage tank or other place of discharge of the oil and gas mixture as it is raised.

From the foregoing description, it will. be observed that I have provided in an oil well, in combination with the well casing, an intermediate tube or pipe and an innermost pipe, forming an outer, an intermediate and an inner passageway, with means for shutting ofi the gas created or developed in connection with the oil in said well to prevent its escape and for directing it from the outer passage, as it rises therein, downwardly in the intermediate passage, with means for then directing it into and up through the innermost passage and in which the oil is also directed under a control system, whereby the gas is used to atomize the oil admitted into said innermost passage and to carry said atomized oil to the surface and to discharge it into a tank or other reservoir provided therefor. The mechanism which has been described in detail constitutes one practical apparatus for accomplishing this important process or method.

Having thus described in detail that embodiment of the invention adopted for explanatory purposes, I will now describe the operation of the apparatus as illustrated on the drawings.

After the casing I3 has been installed in the well and cemented, as at I5, just above the oil sand formation, to prevent the escape of oil and gas upwardly outside of the casing I3, said casing being perforated in the oil sand area, it will be evident that oil and gas will be directed into said casing I3 and will rise therein.

Said casing, at its upper end, is closed by the head I1, and any gas rising therein will be directed into pipe 60. Now in order to ascertain the volume of gas available continuously from the casing for flowing purposes, it is necessary to permit the gas to build up within the well casing to a point where no further change is being registered on the casing-head pressure gauge 66. To accomplish this, the gas regulating valve is closed, and also the by-pass valves 61 and 15. When the needle on the gauge 66 no longer moves, then the gas regulating valve 10 is opened slightly, thereby permitting a volume of gas to flow from the casing head I1 up through the vertical check valve 62, and down within the tubing 20, entering the innermost tube or pipe, or macaroni 3231-28, through the bores 3I, 3I, theannular space 29, the radial passages or bores 28, 28, and up through the central bore 21, and up through the innermost tube or macaroni to and out through the control valve 19, to pipe 85 and to the flow tanks or other place of discharge. By carefully observing the pressure gauge 66, it can readily be determined when the gas regulating valve 16 is properly adjusted, that is, when the gauge 66 shows the slightest sign of reduction in pressure within the well casing, then the maximum volume of gas available continuously fro-m the well casing is flowing through the system. When this has been determined, the next step is to place the tongs on the innermost tube or macaroni 38 and turn the string very slowly in a clockwise direction, carefully observing the result of this action on the pressure gauge 66. This move ment causes a partial opening of the valve member 32, permitting fluid to enter the macaroni at high velocity under the force represented by the hydrostatic fluid head in the well casing. As the flow of gas through the system from the casing head I1 is under low pressure, the large volume of gas contained in the oil entering the macaroni at the lower end of the assembly is immediately released, thereby augmenting the volume of gas from the casing head in terms of expanding gas energy, under ideal conditions for perfect atomization with the liquid petroleum, to bring about automatic flow. The macaroni should be turned slowly until the pressure gauge 66 registers a slight increase in pressure, signifying that the maximum weight of liquid hydrocarbons is being atomized and lifted to the surface by the gas available in that particular well.

The pressure gauge 13 registers the amount of gas pressure applied within the tubing 20 and at the sub-surface control unit at all times, thereby offering a means of checking gas pressure from the casing head against lifting resistance within the innermost tube or macaroni. By so checking, the maximum volume of production can be obtained continuously by simply adjusting the gas regulating valve 10 in the event that any fluctuation in gas pressure or gas volume should occur at any time, always bringing both gauges to a point of equal pressure registration.

If it should so happen that, due to the occurrence of some emergency condition, such as fire, leaks in lead line, etc., it becomes necessary to shut in the well quickly, and the fluid obtains equilibrium within the macaroni, tubing, and well casing, it would then be required that gas be applied to the tubing from an outside source to again establish automatic flow. This would be accomplished by making connection with an auxv iliary compressor at the horizontal check valve I59.

In the event the fluid head in the well represents a greater resistance in pressure than the safe working pressure of the compressor, the intermediate control member 2I is caused to function by the reversal of direction of gas flow. This unit is installed in the string of macaroni at an elevation approximately midway between the top and bottom of the fluid column in the well. By manipulating the various valves in the surface manifold, gas can be forced down within the macaroni above the intermediate control member 2 I, driving all oil above that point out through the ball-and-seat valves 41, and up within the well tubing 20 to the surface, following which, the valves in the surface manifold or assembly can again be adjusted to cause flow of gas down within the tubing 20 and upward through the macaroni. This reversing action affords a positive and simple means of overcoming the head pressure and starting resumption of automatic flow.

In wells where an extremely low fluid level is encountered, and where insufficient gas to properly atomize and carry the production to the surface, it will be necessary to employ an auxiliary compressor to furnish whatever additional gas is required to maintain the proper oil-gas ratio throughout the system. The auxiliary compressor line would be connected to check valve 69, as before explained, and the plug 58' would be removed from the casing head I1, and a gas line would then be connected to this port scy'th'at the compressor would receive the supply of gas available from the well casing while drawing only the additional volume necessary from the main gas lines to efiiciently carry on flowing operations.

In the matter of the gases which are applied for lifting purposes, it should be noted that with this apparatus production is being obtained under very low pressures; also, that the head of oil in the casing is functioning as a hydraulic force to facilitate atomization within the macaroni, while,

simultaneously, the fluid entering the macaroni,

against a minimum pressure resistance, comes directly from the oil zone, thereby carrying a large amount of low volatile molecules in solution which immediately enter into the vapor phase upon passing into the macaroni.

While I have shown and described one practical embodiment of my invention capable of carrying out the process involved herein, I am aware that changes can be made inthe construction and arrangement shown for descriptive purposes without departing from the spirit of the invention, and I do not, therefore, limit my invention to the showing made, except as I may be limited by the hereto appended claims.

I claim:

1. In an oil well, in combination with the well casing and the inner pipe for the upflow of oil, of an intermediate tube within said well casing and around said inner pipe, whereby to form an outer passageway, an intermediate passageway and an inner passageway, said well casing having openings therethrough for the admission of oil and gas from said well, means for preventing the upfiow of oil and gas outside-of said well casing, means entrapping said gas and directing it downwardly in said intermediate passageway, means for directing said gas from the lower end of said intermediate passageway into said inner oil pipe for atomizing and lifting said oil therein to the surface, means for controlling the flow of gas into said intermediate passageway, rotary means for controlling the admission of oil to said inner oil pipe to be lifted by said gas, and means for delivering said oil and gas mixture at the surface.

2. In an oil well, in combination, a well casing perforated in the area of the oil producing sand, an inner up-flow oil pipe to carry oil to the surface, an intermediate tube within the well casing and around the inner oil pipe, means for preventing oil and gas from rising in the well outside the well casing above a predetermined level, means for entrapping the gas from said well in said well casing, means at the surface for directing said gas downwardly in said intermediate tube, valve means at the lower end of said inner oil pipe for admitting oil thereto, means for admitting gas from said intermediate tube through said valve for atomizing and lifting said oil to the surface with said gas, and means for controlling the gas flow into said intermediate tube from said well casing.

3. In an oil well, a well casing perforated in the area of the oil producing formation, an inner pipe for the up-flow oil from said well, a pipe forming a down-flow for gas, means for preventing gas and oil from rising in said well outside said well casing above a predetermined level, means for entrapping gas from said well in the upper portion of said well casing, means for directing and controlling the flow of gas from the upper portion of said well casing down into said pipe for the down-flow of gas, valve mechanism at the lower ends of said up-flow oil pipe and said downflow gas pipe for the admission of oil and gas to means at the lower end of said up-flow oil pipeoperab e at the surface for controlling the inflow of oil from said well to said oil pipe, means directing the gas flow from said down-flow gas pipe into said up-flow oil pipe for atomizing and carrying said oil to the surface, and means for carrying off said oil and gas from said well.

5. In an oil well, in combination, a well casing perforated for the admission of oil and gas thereinto, means preventing the up-flow of oil and gas in said well outside of said well casing above a predetermined level, an oil pipe in said casing for the up-flow of oil therefrom to the surface, a down-flow gas pipe for directing gas downwardly in said well casing, means at the upper end of said well casing for entrapping gas therein, means for determining the gas pressure in said well casing, means for directing and controlling the flow of gas from said well easing into said down-flow gas pipe, means for connecting an auxiliary pressure to said down-flow gas pipe, to increase the gas pressure, valve mechanism connecting the lower ends of said up-flow oil pipe and said down-flow gas pipe, whereby the upfiowing oil is atomized and carried up by said gas in said up-flow oil pipe, and means for regulating the inflow of oil from said well casing to said up-fiow oil pipe.

6. In an oil well, in combination, a well casing,

an inner oil pipe, an intermediate tube within said well casing and around said inner oil pipe, whereby to provide outer, intermediate and inner passageways in said well, means for entrapping gas and oil from said well within said outer passageway, means for directing and controlling gas fiow from said outer passageway into and down within said intermediate passageway, means at the bottom of said intermediate and inner passageways for directing said gas upwardly in said inner oil pipe, and means for admitting oil into said inner pipe to be atomized and carried to the surface by said gas, and means interposed in said inner oil pipe and communicating with said intermediate passageway with check valve means therein for reversing the flow of gas circulation within the intermediate and inner passageways, for the purpose described. I

7. In an oil well, in combination, a well casing, an inner oil pipe, an intermediate tube within said well casing and around said inner pipe, whereby to provide outer, intermediate and inner passageways in said Well, means preventing gas and oil to rise in said well outside of said well casing above a predetermined level, means at the upper end of said intermediate passageway for entrapping gas therein, means for directing and controlling the flow of gas from said well casing down into said intermediate passageway, valve mechanism at the bottoms of said intermediate and inner passageways for admitting and controlling the inflow of oil from said well easing into said inner passageway and for directing gas from said intermediate passageway upwardly in said inner passageway to atomize and carry said oil to the surface, valve means at the surface for directing and controlling the flow of gas and. oil from said well to a place of storage, and means revolubly supporting said inner oil pipe whereby it can be turned to open and close said valve mechanism at the bottom thereof for admitting oil thereto.

8. In an oil well, in combination, a well casing perforated in the area of the oil producing sand, means for preventing the up-ilow of oil and gas outside of said well casing, an inner up-fiow oil pipe to carry oil and gas to the surface, an intermediate tube within the well casing and around the inner oil pipe, means for entrapping the gas from said well casing, means at the surface for directing said gas downwardly in said intermediate tube, means for controlling the volume of gas flowing from the well casing to said intermediatetube, means for determining the pressure of said volume of gas fiowing under valve control from said well casing to said'intermediate tube, means for determining. the pressure of said volume of gas after same has entered said intermediate tube, means toregulate the velocity and volumetric flow of gas downwardly in said intermediate tube and upwardly within said oil pipe at a volumetric flow less than the volume of gas developed in said well, means for controlling the admission of oil from said well casing into said oil pipe to obtain the proper oil-and-gas ratio at a volumetric flow of gas less than the volume of gas developed in said well, and means for delivering said oil and gas mixture to the surface.

9. In an oil well, in combination, a well casing, two concentric pipes within said well casing, means for preventing oil and gas from rising in the well outside the well casing above a predetermined level, means for entrapping the flow of gas from said well casing, means for determining the pressure of the gas flowing from said well casing, means for automatically preventing any entrance of gas at the surface into said well casing, valve means for restricting and controlling the flow of gas from the well casing into the outer concentric pipe, means for connecting the outer and inner concentric pipes within the well casing, means for directing the gasfrom the outer concentric pipe to the inner concentric pipe within the well casing, rotative means for opening and closing the base of the inner concentric pipe from the. well casing to restrict and regulate the flow of oil from the well casing into the said inner concentric pipe, to maintain the proper oil-and-gas ratio for flowing the oil and gas mixture upwardly within the said inner concentric pipe to the surface.

10. In an oil well, in combination, a well casing, an intermediate down-flow pipe for gas,-an inner upflow pipe for a mixture of oil and gas, means for entrapping the flow of gas from said well casing, means for directing the flow of said gas from the well casing into the intermediate downflowpipe at any desired velocity and pressure up to the maximum velocity and maximum pressure of the gas flowing upwardly within the well casing, means for determining the pressure of the downflowing volume of gas within the intermediate down-flow pipe, means for directing the flow of gas from the intermediate down-flow pipe into the upflow pipe at an elevation within the well casing, means at the surface for controlling the opening and closing, by rotation, of a valve at the lower end of the inner upflow pipe, whereby the volume of oil admitted from the well casing to the said inner upflow pipe can be regulated to any desired available amount of oil in the well at the elevation of the rotatable valve, and means for directing the amount of available oil desired and gas required for its atomization in the proper oil-and-gas ratio within the upflow pipe to cause the atomized mixture to rise to the surface.

a BERNARD H. SCOTI'. 

